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SA vs IND 3rd Test: Virat Kohli back for the decisive test, Ishant Sharma to replace injured Mohd Siraj

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Virat Kohli back for the decisive test, Ishant Sharma to replace injured Mohd Siraj: Indian test skipper Virat Kohli is likely to return back to the field of cricket for the decisive third test match against South Africa in Newlands, Cape Town. Kohli missed the second test match after suffering an upper back spasm ahead of the match.

SA vs IND 3rd Test: Virat Kohli back for the decisive test, Ishant Sharma to replace injured Mohd Siraj
Image Credit: BCCI

In Kohli’s absence, India lost the second encounter and levelled the series. However, for the series decider, King Kohli will be back in the bull ring, charging along with his troops to conquer South African soil for the first time in history.

As a sign of indication, Kohli was seen practising in Cape Town along with his teammates, as BCCI shared images on its various social media handles.

The question will be, who must be dropped in order to bring in Virat Kohli? 

The test mainstay of team India, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, seems to have provided oxygen to their dried up cricketing lungs. Their counter-attacking knocks in the second innings might have given them a slight hope to keep their test career alive. Though the knocks were not sufficient to fetch victory for the team India, but they were enough to support their old careers.

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Hanuma Vihari would be pretty unfortunate if he gets dropped out of the team. He did extremely well with his gritty innings of unbeaten 40 runs to take India’s lead a bit further. 

Head coach Rahul Dravid, earlier, said that Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer must wait for their turn, which clearly gives an indication of the near future.

The fans will be hoping to see some blitz from Virat’s sword this time. His long-standing 71st century will be anticipated as he walks down to bat at number 4 in the third test match tomorrow.

Ishant Sharma likely to replace Mohd Siraj:

Mohammad Siraj injured 1
Mohammad Siraj pulled his hamstring while bowling in the second test match against South Africa. Image source: Twitter

Meanwhile, team India may be forced to execute another change in the playing11. Young pacer Mohammad Siraj pulled his hamstring during the second match and is likely to get sidelined owing to his injury.

India will have the option to include either Umesh Yadav or Ishant Sharma in Siraj’s place. Virat Kohli might prefer the tall pacer services for the final test match. 

The third test match between South Africa and India is slated to be held in Newlands, Cape Town, starting January 11th.

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